Japanese Object Makers

[montez]

Kaori Akiyama

Credentials: Department of Design, Faculty of Engineering, Chiba University; Lecturer, Chiba University
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Furniture, Lighting

Website: Profile
STUDIO BYCOLOR: studiobycolor.com
Instagram: @studio_bycolor

GECCO

Blinking Color

[montez]

Kazuki Nagasawa

Credentials: Founder, SUPER RAT
From: Neyagawa, Osaka, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Furniture

SUPER RAT: super-rat-design.com

HOUYOU - JUHI SERIES

KOMORE - JUHI SERIES

[montez]

Koji Tanabe

Credentials: Shizuoka University of Art and Culture; part-time lecturer, Shizuoka Institute of Design Arts (2021–2025)
Based: Shizuoka, Japan

Plow Design: plowdesign.jp
Instagram: @plow_design

CROSS

CURREN

[montez]

Keisuke Unosawa

Credentials: Design Manager, Kito regional revitalization project
Discipline: Industrial Design

Website: unosawa.com

Paper Folding Designs

YES LOVE wristwatch

[montez]

Kotaro Kawanabe

Credentials: Kyoto Seika University, Architecture; Grebbestads folkhögskola; Carl Malmsten Furniture Studies; Swedish Furniture Joinery Journeyman Certificate
From: Kumamoto, Japan
Based: Kyoto, Japan
Discipline: Furniture

+veve: plusveve.com
Instagram: @plusveve

chair 44 child

extension table

[montez]

Moriyuki Ochiai

Credentials: Master’s Program in Architecture, Waseda University Graduate School of Science and Engineering; Representative Director, Moriyuki Ochiai Design Project
From: Tokyo, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Architecture, Industrial Design, Furniture

Moriyuki Ochiai Architects: moriyukiochiai.com
Instagram: @moriyukiochiai

Waterscape Office

Geosong

[montez]

Atsushi Kitagawara

Credentials: Tokyo University of the Arts; Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of the Arts
From: Nagano, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Architecture, Industrial Design, Furniture, Lighting

Atsushi Kitagawara Architects: kitagawara.co.jp

Hosho Gakuen Learning Center Building n.6

Kobuchizawa Station and Plaza

[montez]

Kenya Hara

Credentials: Master’s degree, Musashino Art University (1983); Worked under Eiko Ishioka; Art Director, Muji; President, Nippon Design Center; Professor, Musashino Art University; Member, Japan Design Committee
From: Okayama, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Furniture

Website: https://www.ndc.co.jp/
HARA DESIGN INSTITUTE: https://hara.ndc.co.jp/
designcommittee.jp: https://designcommittee.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hara_design_institute
X: https://x.com/haraken_tokyo

SUWARI

SIMOSE

mtmlabo

[montez]

Motomi Kawakami

Credentials: 東京芸術大学 (1964); Master’s degree, 東京芸術大学 (1966); Worked under Angelo Mangiarotti; President, Japan Institute of Design Promotion; Chairman, Japan Design Committee; Chief Judge, Good Design Award; Visiting Professor, Tokyo University of the Arts, Kanazawa College of Art, Tama Art University, Kobe Design University
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Furniture, Industrial Design

Website: https://www.motomi-kawakami.jp/
KAWAKAMI DESIGN ROOM Ltd.: https://www.kawakamidesignroom.com/

Cazetora chair

Cefiro

Cradle

[montez]

Kaoru Mende

Credentials: Bachelor’s degree, Tokyo University of the Arts; Master’s degree, Tokyo University of the Arts; Visiting Professor, Musashino Art University
From: Tokyo, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Lighting

Website: https://www.lpa.co.jp/
Lighting Planners Associates Inc. (LPA): https://www.lighting.co.jp/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaoru-mende-38848515

Search for Light at Milan Design Week 2021

Tokyo Toilet Project, Hiroo Higashi Park

Tower of Wind Lighting Renewal

[montez]

Kazuyo Sejima

Credentials: Japan Women’s University (1979); Master’s degree, Japan Women’s University (1981); Apprenticed with Toyo Ito; Director of Architecture Sector, Venice Biennale; Professor, Yokohama National University Y-GSA; Professor, University of Applied Arts Vienna
From: Ibaraki, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Architecture, Furniture

Website: https://www.sanaa.net/
SANAA (Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa): http://www.sanaa.co.jp/

Armless Chair for Maruni

Rolex Learning Center

Louvre-Lens

[montez]

Shunji Yamanaka

Credentials: University of Tokyo (1982); Professor, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo; Professor, Keio University, Graduate School of Media and Governance
From: Ehime, Japan
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Industrial Design, Hardware

Website: https://shunjiyamanaka.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yam_sketch
X: https://x.com/Yam_eye

CanguRo

ISSEY MIYAKE INSETTO

“Suica” IC Card Ticket Gate Prototype

[montez]

Ryue Nishizawa

Credentials: Master’s degree, Yokohama National University (1990); Worked under Kazuyo Sejima; Professor, Yokohama Graduate School of Architecture, Yokohama National University (Y-GSA)
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Architecture, Furniture

Office of Ryue Nishizawa: http://www.ryuenishizawa.com/

Teshima Art Museum

Roof & Mushrooms Pavilion

Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa

[montez]

Sou Fujimoto

Credentials: University of Tokyo (1994); Master’s degree, École Spéciale d’Architecture (2021); Expo Site Design Producer, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan; Jury Chair, Holcim Foundation Awards 2025 (Asia Pacific)
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Architecture, Furniture

Sou Fujimoto Architects: https://www.sou-fujimoto.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sou_fujimoto
X: https://x.com/soufujimoto

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2013

Bookchair

Grand Ring

[montez]

Daisuke Kitagawa

Credentials: Kanazawa College of Art (2005); Jury Member, Good Design Award
Based: Tokyo, Japan
Discipline: Furniture, Industrial Design

DESIGN FOR INDUSTRY INC.: https://www.designforindustry.jp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d_kitagawa
X: https://x.com/d_kitagawa

Struct

Frond Desk Chair

Floe